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Thursday link-a-rama

Bye-week podcast

This week's cast of Tracee Hamilton, Dan Steinberg and genial host Jonathan Forsythe welcomes a very special guest star: Sally Jenkins. Links are at the left. You can listen here, via iTunes or get the RSS feed.

Steinz and the signz

Steinberg has the latest on the FedEx sign situation, including the treatment the subject received on "Around the Horn," at DC Sportsbog.

moe, I think if me memory serves, Lee/CC was traded for kids, and given that they weren't re-signing with the tribe, it was a good deal for both...they gave up guys, and got kids in return. We'll see in a year or two if it works...

agreed on those coach's, although, gibbs teach's a lot of cut blocking, I'd rather someone who teaches maulers how to better maul...

bean
"... you guys ran into a buzz saw last night, that cat was throwing cheeze and painting all night...you'll have your way with pedro tonight..."

I see the phillies winning in 6 games.
Posted by: MistaMoe

Yankees will win this series...I agree the Lee was on point last night..He'd be hard press to do it again..also CC missed on a couple pitches that he normally don't miss.. the Yankees bats were not popping but we'll get it together tonight...by the way are you referring to BeantownGreg...he's a Sox fan!

Did anyone catch DHall ripping the OLine a new one? You can tell DHall talks with JC17. And he basically let the private conversations permeate (sp?) tp the public. (My opinion). I geuss the old adage of not calling out the other side is dead @ 2-5. But I could appreciate some of the things he said. He said they should block for Campbell like they were blocking for their mother or kids' lives. And when JC17 gets hit hard, he commented on how no OLine would go to help him. They would just stand around and let him lay there....

I'm with you Moe on Bugel; it's a sacred cow to be sure, and I hate to pile on a fellow Western Kentucky U guy, but I think his time has come. I'm sure that his daughter passing last year has had an impact, too.

I watch this crud about Snydley Whipskins trying to silence the horde and I'm reminded of a very funny bit Howard Stern used. It was about being a kid and going ot his father's recording studio, where his father would interview him. At one point, the old man get's so frustrated with Howard goofing around, he lets out with an apopleptic "Shut up! Sit Down!"

I saw that. It's not the first time I heard the D call out the OL. Doc Walker mentioned on the John Thompson show that P Daniel's said that the OL weren't nasty enough. It's a shame because the OL has to have pride in their work for the offense to have a chance.

did you guys see the chart for phillies the last 6 years? it looks beautiful....they've stayed between 88-93 wins the past 6 years...consistency, championship...*sigh*...wish the skins could build like that...

"...gibbs teach's a lot of cut blocking, I'd rather someone who teaches maulers how to better maul..."

Gibbs' work in Denver and Atlanta is stellar.

We redskins fans love J Buges, but guys like Alex Gibbs and Howard Mudd (Colts) have produced very athletic offensive lines with middle/high/undrafted guys for years.

We need a new voice in the draft room deciding the type of linemen we need as unathletic maulers don't satisfy like long athletic, versitile linemen with quick feet and hips.

The present issues with the skins' offensive line suggest that a strong offensive line coach be hired.

Nothing against Joe Bugel.

But perhaps it's time the team moved in a new direction.

Posted by: MistaMoe | October 29, 2009 9:44 AM | Report abuse
=============================================
Sorry couldn't disagree more. Buges isn't the one drafting the personnel. You're looking for a coach that can coach fire into the linemen we got one, and he's maximized everything we're going to get out of these trolls. True Gibbs and Mudd have made players out of low draft picks, but to be honest they would have never even wasted their time with the bums Vinny picked.

Most linemen can't wait to slobber-knock the dude in front of them...for free. These guys we have, just want pay checks. I feel so bad for Buges, to have deal with this crap day in and day out, for the rest of the season.

I mean, back during free agency and the draft, did he spend more time counting his new found money or charting the lack of linemen the skins added?

If he wants to beef, then let him demand to return punts.

Posted by: MistaMoe
----------------------------

I don't think criticizing your team members before the season even starts is a very productive thing to do. That's managements job and they arent going to give a crap what D Hall thinks about the issue. The only thing that would do is create locker room drama.

Of course now that we've entered a death spiral I'm cool with pretty much any internal criticism that is spot on (and I haven't heard any that wasn't). So yeah, gloves off.

Last season Zorn was asked repeatedly about allowing someone other than Randle El to return punts....his response was always that he "trusts" El with the ball.

Same thing this season....well after 7 games it is evident El should not be trusted with the ball - and he is not getting us good field position.

But Zorn continues to stick by him! What is up with that?

Devin Thomas has said he wants the chance to return punts and has been working diligently on this after practice.

Posted by: Lisa_R | October 29, 2009 10:39 AM | Report abuse
=============================================
ARE has that fear. I don't know if he got popped really good some time back or what, but whatever the reason, he's fearful back there. And its obvious, the ball hit him in the head, because he took his eyes off the ball to look at protection. You see a guy doing that, then yank him. I don't know what Coach Smith is doing putting him back there time after time. When Moss or Hall are back there the protection is good enough for them to make some yardage or attempt to break it.

While I realize all pro sports have changed, and have changed for the worse, and to single out the Yankees for being a corporate conglomeration is ridiculous, I must say that I find it impossible to root for the Yankees.

George (and now Hank) Steinbrenner is proof that you can alienate a fan forever.

He said they should block for Campbell like they were blocking for their mother or kids' lives. And when JC17 gets hit hard, he commented on how no OLine would go to help him. They would just stand around and let him lay there....

Posted by: 4thFloor |

If I'm an Olineman my response is "He can tell us how to block when he learns how to tackle."

But that's just smack. The underlying issue is one of a team imploding while Nero fiddles with signs and negatiev T-shirts..

I saw that. It's not the first time I heard the D call out the OL. Doc Walker mentioned on the John Thompson show that P Daniel's said that the OL weren't nasty enough. It's a shame because the OL has to have pride in their work for the offense to have a chance.

I know that the Post and most of the redskins-centric sites and blogs have been slamming Snyder for this sign/tshirt thing, plus the whole org being a circus with a know-nothing owner, but what about the national type stuff, like NFL network, espn, etc……I saw a couple things on USA today’s football section, but I don’t really get to watch Sportscenter or any of the other tv or radio talk shows like Jim Rome, Mike&Mike etc……..anyone know if any or all of these programs are calling out Snyder as bad as the local stuff and Redskins fans are doing?

Alexander may be needed more on the offensive side of the ball as a blocking TE going forward. Line him up on the left next to Levi Jones and let's get back to smash ball football. Also, If we can get Kelly and ARE closer in reps, I think it'll bode well for the future of the team, sorta like what's happening w/ Daniels and Jarmon.

Alexander may be needed more on the offensive side of the ball as a blocking TE going forward. Line him up on the left next to Levi Jones and let's get back to smash ball football.
Posted by: TWISI |

Good point...what happen to Alexander playing both ways?..especially after we got Jarmon and they saw he could be a beast they should have put Alexander back on the O-line...This coaching staff makes me more mad the more we analogize the moves they have made.

If he produces at or above that level I hope the Redskins don't trade him.

Jarmon is already going to be needed to replace P. Daniels.

Keep Carter around, develop Wilson at SLB, and let Orakpo slide over and replace Carter when the time comes.

Posted by: PortisPocketsStr8 | October 29, 2009 11:47 AM |
I like Carter too but would it make any signifigance on the Cap to lose him and have Jarmon and Orakpo on the edges if Wilson can handle SLB which I think he can, looked good when he was in Mon.

In attempting to be positive, Kedric has been a stud this year, he seems to have benefited from AH. Perhaps with Griffs injuries, he'd be better served starting??

Doughty, Wilson, and Jarmon all need more reps on D.

Posted by: BeantownGreg1

Beantown you're on point today..especially about Wilson I think he can beast out if giving more time...

Posted by: jcnjcnj

I am with you here guys. I'd also lobby for Kareem Moore and Tryon to get some more reps. I think Moore's problem is he isn't getting the playing time to learn and Tryon is actually playing pretty well. Anyone know what the deal is with Barnes? It seems most weeks he is not even active. I thought this guy would tear it up once he got here.

As for offense, I would just like to see the other running backs get more carries. I am not saying Cartwright is the second coming of John Riggins, but he has, at least, been productive whenever he lines up at running back. Betts comes in on third downs and those are usually passing downs because the team can't move the football on 1st and 2nd down. I would like to see him run the ball more so mix him in on 1st and 2nd. Portis is not as effective this year and so maybe it is time to move to a more running-back-by-committee running attack.

I like Carter too but would it make any signifigance on the Cap to lose him and have Jarmon and Orakpo on the edges if Wilson can handle SLB which I think he can, looked good when he was in Mon.

Posted by: swalker5 | October 29, 2009 11:52 AM | Report abuse

I don't know about cap. I just don't think you will get more than a 3rd for Carter. He's good but teams will look at his production minus AH.

Posted by: PortisPocketsStr8

I think the team should start throwing Orakpo into Carter's slot occasionally. The can move Carter to the other side or give him a breather, but I think it would be interesting to know what this would do to their production. It might be Orakpo won't be able to fight off blocks enough to make a difference in the running game - which might be why the team insists on having him play off the line of scrimmage as a linebacker on running downs. Whatever the reason, I would like to see if the guy is the heir-apparent and if the team could afford to offload Carter.

If you are blaming the players and/or coaches YOU ARE A SNYDERRATTO CLONE!!!

Posted by: pabrian2003

I read it..though I don't like reading Jenkins stuff because she just too negative..I mean all Skins fan are hurting but she pours salt in the wound and i don't appreciate that...Her last article "Skins need a GM" was surprising to me. She wasn't as negative as she had been so i felt she was setting us up and then....Today..she hates Synder..it some times reads personal. like she was a lover scorned..Her articles are not IMO sports reporting..just Hate mongering (towards Synder that is)

"The Redskins' play-calling against the Eagles was a nonsensical, piecemeal arrangement in which, according to Zorn, Lewis called the pass routes, while offensive coordinator Sherman Smith called the run packages, and Zorn himself stepped in to handle the hurry-up offense"

I actually thought that the play calling was better than it had been. The week prior they failed to score a touchdown, this week they scored 2. So right away, you saw improvement, right???

"Campbell was sacked a bone-crushing six times"

The Redskins don't employ audibles. So when JC walks up to the line, that he knows is in shambles, and he knows he can't audible, and he knows that a blitz is coming, what are his options??

I have no problem with someone telling things they way they are, but she only shows up when they aren't doing too well. I think in the first eight weeks last year she may have only wrote something twice regarding the 'skins. This year we get her bulls*** every week.

If you are blaming the players and/or coaches YOU ARE A SNYDERRATTO CLONE!!!

Posted by: pabrian2003

AND, because Sally Jenkins wrote it - she of many years of NFL experience both on the field and off - it should all be true. SO, you should take a little SNYDERRATTO CLONE fairy dust and sprinkle it around on all of those who ever disagreed with you and they will all fall to their knees in humiliation... I thought you were smarter than that, man.

Pabrian is as predictable as the rising sun. The whole "it's this One problem." crowd have the depth of a pond protist. Failures are rarely isolated reAsons and the skins 09 debacle holds to form. Perfect storm of crapppy owner gm coaches and players. No one is above blame on this team. It's like a dinosaur with a mortal would but the brain just doesn't know it yet.

The Redskins don't employ audibles. So when JC walks up to the line, that he knows is in shambles, and he knows he can't audible, and he knows that a blitz is coming, what are his options??

Thats on the coach. Not employing an audible is just dumb...

Posted by: BeantownGreg1

I don't buy that. I have seen Campbell audible before - not very effectively, mind you, but I have seen him yell something after looking at the defense and players shifted around. I think that was an audible.

don't buy that. I have seen Campbell audible before - not very effectively, mind you, but I have seen him yell something after looking at the defense and players shifted around. I think that was an audible.

Posted by: RedSkinHead | October 29, 2009 12:31 PM

You're right about JC and audibles, but it not the norm for JC to have audibles, that's been well documented. Particularly in the + or - 25 yard area, it's really evident.

Hey Jason, why can't we ever post comments to Sally Jenkins' articles? I'd like to post that she isn't writing anything the fans don't already know/suspect. As much as we may agree with everything she's writing, the fact of the matter is she it still just comes across as going after low hanging fruit/transparent effort to attack management. How about she write something we don't already know??

cl, agreed, I get that feeling about vinzo as well...can't happen quick enough.

rsh, I'm pretty sure they alluded to it during the broadcast, as well as Portis claiming the last time he heard an audible was when he was in Denver.

4th, I think you're trying to say that you think the playcalling worked, and if so, then I'm in AGREEMENT with you. This was a step forward. Had there been some, any type of qb protection, who knows...dare I say 3 touchdowns could have been possible...

I don't buy that. I have seen Campbell audible before - not very effectively, mind you, but I have seen him yell something after looking at the defense and players shifted around. I think that was an audible.

Posted by: RedSkinHead

There is a difference between an audible and trying to confuse the defense.

I think what you saw was the offense lining up one way, and then realigning to cause confusion. Not necessarily an audible.

An audible is when you change the alignment based on how the defense is aligned to pick up blitzes and exploit passing lanes.

TWISI,
I remember reading about the Sonny - Zorn bickering over no audibles in the red zone strategy that Zorn put in place; however, I thought JC was given more latitude this last game with a bunch of scripted plays on his armband.

Maybe I am just being stubborn here, but I cannot believe a coach would totally take away a QB's ability to audible. That goes beyond moronic, or Zorn really has no faith in Campbell's ability to read defensive alignments...

I dont see the smarts in drafting the QB of the franchise if we dont have the OL to support it, I dont think we are going to be much better next year, so we could get a veteran to fill in, build OL and other key positions on Defense OLB and DB, then get the QB the following draft...

it kills me that the LB we drafted in this draft seem to be just awful picks, could have gotten other LB or OL, also dont understand us not going out and taking OL off practice squads

4th, I think you're trying to say that you think the playcalling worked, and if so, then I'm in AGREEMENT with you. This was a step forward. Had there been some, any type of qb protection, who knows...dare I say 3 touchdowns could have been possible...

Posted by: BeantownGreg1

Agreed and look for Sleepy, DT11 and even MK12 to get more involved as the season goes on..Zorn just didn't know how to get them the ball and that will be the main reason he'll be fired... to not get any production from 3 2nd round picks is ridiculous....just too bad Cooley went down because with him and Sleepy together they can cause a lot of match up problems for LB's and safeties..

unless they re-tool the offensive line with free agents, then drafting a qb next year will produce the EXACT same results we've seen the past 3 years....

Posted by: BeantownGreg1 | October 29, 2009 12:49 PM | Report abuse

Back on after a vaca, hope everyone is well, I dislike Campbell and want him gone, but I don't think the answer is to draft a QB. We have too many young players on offense already, we're going to have a young oline hopefully, we're going to have a new running back even if CP stays, we have a lot of youth on offense. I think this year we look for a veteran guy in FA, and draft for the Oline. Next year look for a young QB. My only deviation would be if we get a stud tackle in round one and a big time QB falls to the second round i.e.- Clausen, Locker, McCoy, Bradford, Tebow. Any of those guys still on the board in round 2 I'm fine with, other than that-

Have you noticed how some WRs become All Pro when they play against the Skins? DeSean Jack had pretty much done jack up until his dazzling display against the Skins. Manningham has returned to being very ordinary after his breakout game against the Skins at the beginning of the season.

Sally was spawned in a nest by a bird like people. When she was young, she fell from the nest and hit every branch on the way down. The branches slowed her fall, but damn they made her ugly.

BeanTG: I believe Zorn does have audibles in his system. He has said that JC has the authority to call audibles at the line, but only in select situations/plays.

Trade/Rest AC99? Are you kidding? This guy is on pace for a career year. Big Al is helping him out, Ill grant that. But you dont take this guy out or move him around just to get Orakpo in there.

Orakpo is undersized for an every down DE, that why he plays SLB for 1st and 2nd down. Pick your poison: Rookie gets beat in pass coverage a few times in the early downs or gets mauled over in the run game. He's pass rushing on 3rd downs. Despite what a lot of ppl are preaching. They are using this guy how they should.

Have you noticed how some WRs become All Pro when they play against the Skins? DeSean Jack had pretty much done jack up until his dazzling display against the Skins. Manningham has returned to being very ordinary after his breakout game against the Skins at the beginning of the season.

Posted by: MrPink | October 29, 2009 1:00 PM | Report abuse

That's 2 receivers having 3 big plays. I don't see what your point is?

Everyone who say we need a veteran FA QB to hold the fort and draft stud linemen...with stud linemen JC could be that veteran QB to hold the fort...I just think no QB would do good behind this O-line..not even Peyton..

just read sally's piece...ugh! and can't imagine the other dude, tony's coattail rider, being any better.

Mr. Boz, PLEASE, PLEASE!!! you're the only good writer left on wapo's sports staff. PLEASE PLEASE WRITE "FIRE CERRATO" column. PLEASE!!! stop beating around the bush and just say it! FIRE CERRATO!!!!!!!!!! AND STOP MEDDLING! PLEASE! THIS CITY NEEDS YOU!!!! now more than ever. pen that mother!!!! PLEASE!!!

Orakpo is undersized for an every down DE, that why he plays SLB for 1st and 2nd down. Pick your poison: Rookie gets beat in pass coverage a few times in the early downs or gets mauled over in the run game. He's pass rushing on 3rd downs. Despite what a lot of ppl are preaching. They are using this guy how they should.

Everyone who say we need a veteran FA QB to hold the fort and draft stud linemen...with stud linemen JC could be that veteran QB to hold the fort...I just think no QB would do good behind this O-line..not even Peyton..

Posted by: jcnjcnj | October 29, 2009 1:07 PM | Report abuse

JC is not a good enough QB, I'd take Toddball over him right now. He left at least 7 easy completions and a TD on the field Monday night with inaccuracy and his terrible read on the pump and go on Santanna who was wide open for 6. He can't read defenses and he's inaccurate. Heck I'd prefer Charlie Batch or Sage Rosenfels over JC. I'm just over him, he can't play in this league as anything more than a backup.

I see a lot of next years draft projections here taking all OL. This would seem like what Vinny might do if he sticks around. He obviously listens to the media/internet and such and he might do such a thing to please the fan base. But hopefully the owner decides to

FIRE VINNY!!! HE IS A COMPLETE MORON!!!

So the new GM with full control of football operations (which includes hiring the new HC) decides on a rational plan to rebuild this roster/team. If the uncapped year happens, over priced vets can be cut and possibly resigned to a reasonable contract if it makes sense (it would be better to resign vets vs bringing in new ones to fill holes). The rational plan to rebuild a roster consists of drafting and free agents. He would realize that the team desperately needs youth infused in the OL corps. But drafting only OL would neglect other areas of the roster. So he would probably spend a 1st rounder on a LT and at least another 1st day pick on the OL. And possibly a late rounder on a project guy. Drafting a fast RB and a MLB would be neglected by only taking OL

in a way, could this be the best thing to happen to the team?? here me out on this. Samuels and Thomas went down as expected, Chris will probably have to retire, so could they be FORCED into a situation where they HAVE TO draft/sign ol players. Chris and Randy coming back last year was somewhat of a security blanket, and them being older, and getting injured AGAIN, is somewhat of a blessing in disguise...because had they stayed healthy, and the team went 8-8, or thereabouts, we'd be in the mind-set of 1 player away.....

as well, could the failure of this team, could that very well lead to VC getting fired, and DS hiring a GM??

like with a drug addict, or alcoholic, you have to hit rock bottom, before you can start thinking about change....

just read sally's piece...ugh! and can't imagine the other dude, tony's coattail rider, being any better.

Mr. Boz, PLEASE, PLEASE!!! you're the only good writer left on wapo's sports staff. PLEASE PLEASE WRITE "FIRE CERRATO" column. PLEASE!!! stop beating around the bush and just say it! FIRE CERRATO!!!!!!!!!! AND STOP MEDDLING! PLEASE! THIS CITY NEEDS YOU!!!! now more than ever. pen that mother!!!! PLEASE!!!

Did you think that we should have drafted Orakpo over Oher? I think Orakpo is awesome and will be, but did we really need him over a very good offensive lineman, who BTW pancaked one of our players in the pre-season.

Its time to start working on a Daniel Snyder boycott. Since he is not feeling us, its time to hit him in the pockets. Its a known fact that the Redskins fans are the most loyal and best fans of all sports. Its time to let our voices be heard. Start the chain emails guys. Mine is my screen name at gmail. Send me an email and lets get it started.